2 homemade objects that are easy to make

Do you have plants, and do you wish to design elegant objects but that are easy to make? Nothing's easier. Follow these simple steps and you will have homemade candlesticks and pictures that will amaze both your family and your guests.

It's easy to create a relaxed atmosphere with candles, especially if they are scented with rose, aromatic (lemon) verbena or lavender. With some plants, vellum paper, and a photocopier, you can adapt the candlesticks with their fragrance.

Materials required:

• All sizes of candlesticks can work
• Leaves or sprigs of plants
• Pale green translucent vellum paper
• Cocktail glass with straight edges
• Double sidedadhesive paper
• Scented tealight candle or small candle

Steps:

1. Calculate the size of the paper you will need for wrapping the glass by counting a slight overlap.
2. Cut as many pieces of paper as there are glasses to decorate.
3. Spread the leaves or plants on the paper to compose a pattern to your liking.
4. Try prickly leaves (rosemary) or full leaves (laurel), or feathery foliage (fennel).
5. Put the herbs on the plate of the photocopier and print an image on plain paper until you achieve the desired composition.
6. Then put the vellum paper in the tray and make your copy.
7. Wrap the parchment around the glass and secure the ends with tape.
8. Put the candle in the glass.

Bring the garden into the house with photos of your favourite plants, transferred onto canvas, which will delicately adorn your walls.

Making a masterpiece has never been easier. Many decorating shops, photographers and specialists of online digital photography offer services that allow you to transfer your photos onto a canvas of your desired format.

Materials required:

• The format of the pictures depends on the chosen provider.
• Three good quality photos of plants

1. Look for providers who provide photo-to-canvas transferring services and check available sizes and the best conditions for reproduction.
2. Determine where you want to hang your pictures. Remember that they are made with pigment ink that does not fade. However, they should not be exposed to direct sunlight for too long.
3. Decide whether or not you wish to laminate thephotos. Not laminated, they are cleaned with a soft, dry cloth; if they are, you can wipe them with a damp cloth. Even though the images are indelible, they are, however, not waterproof.
4. Take the photos. Most current digital cameras can focus. Just concentrate on composition. Consider the perspective and the angle from which you shoot the plant and take the time to mentally imagine the result before you start.
5. Decide if you wish to reproduce the entire plant or just a detail. Carry out a full-scale test. A small flower such as a pansy will look spectacular if it fills up the frame. Placing the subject in the centre can give good results, but using the zoom or changing the angle can give dynamism to a classic photo.
6. Tip: digital photos allow you to control when you do the shooting, which was not possible before. If you do not like your photo, you can delete it and take another. Repeat until you have what you like.

You do not need to go shopping in order to have decorative items that you like. Just a little time and know-how should do the trick. You will be proud to have made these objects yourself to beautify your home.